A MERSEYSIDE man begins life in jail today after murdering his wife’s former partner and trying to kill his teenage stepson.

Father-of-two Robert Pennington stabbed Michael O’Connor 46 times after going round to his Southport home armed with several knives.

During a frenzied assault, Pennington, 45, went to the kitchen to “re-arm” himself with more knives, after the ones he had taken snapped from the force of his blows.

Mr O’Connor’s wife Victoria walked in on the fatal attack and fled screaming hysterically after Pennington turned on her.

Pennington then went on the rampage, searching the house for “the real object of his anger” his stepson and Mr O’Connor’s biological son Liam.

He chased the 16-year-old through the house, at one point throwing a knife at him which narrowly missed him as the youngster leapt from a flight of stairs.

After Mrs O’Connor managed to lock Pennington out the house in Conyer’s Avenue, Birkdale, he smashed a window with a brick to re-gain entry, forcing Liam to run into the street in just his boxer shorts.

When police arrived, Pennington, of Walnut Street, Southport, was chasing his stepson through the streets clutching four knives.

Officers had to use CS gas and batons to restrain Pennington, who, as he was restrained, said: “At least I’ve got rid of one of the f******.”

Liverpool crown court heard there had been a history of animosity between Pennington and his wife Sheryl’s son from her relationship with Mr O’Connor, and he had snapped on August 22 last year after a sleepless night.

Ordering him to serve a minimum of 19 years and two months, Judge Gerald Clifton said: “You went to the family home of the deceased in the morning armed with knives and went in.

“When Mr O’Connor tried to stop you, you launched a frenzied attack on him, stabbing him 46 times resulting in his death.

“The killing took place in his own home and near to his wife and his other children. You then turned your attention to the real object of your anger, your stepson Liam.”

Andrew Menary QC prosecuting, told the court neighbours then watched as Pennington ran after Liam down the street.

“Ashen-faced” Mrs O’Connor stood in the doorway in a blood-stained nightdress.

Mr O’Connor died at Southport Hospital. A post-mortem examination revealed one wound had severed his jugular, while others had pierced his body by up to 13cm.

The court heard Pennington and his wife Sheryl had argued over her son Liam following previous difficulties.

By the morning he had become more anxious and could not be calmed, telling his wife: “If you’re not going [to disown him] I’m going to kill him.”

Mr Pratt said: “Robert Pennington, until the dreadful events of August 22, was entitled to hold his head high.”

“He was a hard-working family man without a single conviction to his name. Quite how such a man can throw away such a reputation and lose so much in such an explosive manner remains and will remain a mystery to the many people who him in such high esteem.”